California Naturalist Course with All Hands Ecology
About the Event
The California Naturalist Certification Course is a welcoming, community-centered program designed to connect people from all backgrounds with California’s natural environments. Whether you're reconnecting with a lifelong love of nature or just beginning to explore your curiosity about the natural world, this course is designed to be accessible and supportive for participants at all experience levels.
Our focus is on building core naturalist skills, nurturing curiosity, and strengthening relationships—with each other and the land. Rather than emphasizing the memorization of Latin names, we center storytelling, observation, and learning from both guest experts and the lived experiences of fellow participants.
This course is especially designed for those who may not yet identify as naturalists. If you are already highly experienced and seeking advanced or technical training, a different program may be a better fit.
Dates: January 7 - May 9, 2027
Fees: $500, full or partial fee waivers based on need, using a pay-what-you-can-afford model
Delivery Mode: Hybrid (Thursday Nights on Zoom - 5:30-8 pm, Weekend Field Trips in West Marin)
Contact: Vini Souza, Education Partnerships Coordinator, vsouza@allhandsecology.org
Application for California Naturalist Certification 2027 (Coming soon!)
Organization Description: All Hands Ecology is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit land-based conservation organization founded in 1962 to protect sensitive wildlife habitat. Today we are guardians of a system of nature preserves spanning 5,000 acres across Marin and Sonoma counties. Through the integration of education, science, and stewardship, our 50+ staff work to ensure Northern California’s biodiversity endures through research, land stewardship, and mentorship for new generations of conservationists.